Kevin Durant didn’t leave his house for two days after choosing Warriors, says Russell Westbrook ‘wasn’t a factor’ in decision

By BRETT BODNER

|NEW YORK DAILY NEWS|

Jul 19, 2016 | 12:44 PM

Kevin Durant decided to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder after nine seasons and joined the Golden State Warriors on July 4. (Beck Diefenbach/AP)

Kevin Durant didn't want to face the music when he first selected a new team in NBA free agency.

After deciding to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Golden State Warriors, Durant chose to remain inside his home for two days to avoid criticism and negativity.

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The former NBA MVP told USA Today the backlash wasn't as bad as he thought it would be, but still chose to remain around his family early on.

"I didn't leave my bed, because I was like, 'Man, if I walk outside somebody might just try to hit me with their car or say anything negative to me,'" Durant said. "I just stayed in. I was trying to process it all. I wanted to be around family, and positive support. It felt different."

Kevin Durant said Russell Westbrook wasn’t a part of his decision to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Eventually. Durant realized he couldn't stay hidden from the public permanently and chose to face the criticism from those who didn't approve of his choice.

One person who likely wasn't a fan of the decision was his Thunder teammate, point guard Russell Westbrook.

Some speculated Durant chose to leave the Thunder because of problems with Westbrook. The forward denied this and said Westbrook "wasn't" a factor in him moving on from the Thunder.

"I mean obviously (that alleged subplot is) coming out now (that) I'm gone, all these reports are going to come out. I can't really control it, but I just made a decision based on where I wanted to go, man. It was as simple as that. We can think about all the reasons and the factors and what factored in, but it was simple. That's where I wanted to play basketball," Durant explained.

Westbrook is set to become a free agent after next season, but Durant says the two never spoke about the guard's future plans before he chose to leave the Thunder. He wished nothing but the best for his ex-teammate and has previously said their relationship will likely never be the same.

Durant and Westbrooks were teammates on the Thunder from 2008-2016. The duo helped lead the Thunder to one Western Conference title in 2012 and five division titles, but they never took home the NBA championship.

Durant will now look to get a ring when he joins a loaded Golden State team with MVP Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.